An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

In nuclear fusion, the product of the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution with the tunnelling probability of the nuclei through their Coulomb barrier. This is the energy region where the reaction is more likely to take place: at higher energies, the number of particles becomes insignificant while at lower energies the tunnelling through the Coulomb barrier makes the reaction improbable.

See also: → Gamow barrier; → peak.